Thomas Frank Told the Perfect Solution to Palhinha–Bentancur Dilemma — and It’s Already Working
Thomas Frank appears to have found the right balance for Tottenham’s midfield dilemma involving Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur, with pundit John Wenham highlighting how the system has already worked brilliantly this season.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Wenham said:
“I think for away games, as we saw it done to absolute perfection, like Man City away, it can work an absolute treat.
“For the home games, though, I think moving forward, the lessons have to be learned from the first four home games where we’ve only got one win, two losses and a draw. So, the lesson has to be that this does not work in the home games.
“Start Palhinha in the home games, but put him next to Pape Matar Sarr or Lucas Bergvall, rather than Bentancur, to give us a runner in there, give us some energy, box-to-box style.
“The away games, I’m still of the opinion, that we haven’t lost a game, we’re undefeated away, aren’t we? So, I’m still of the opinion that it works in the away games. I really am.
“So for me, I’d still be going with Bentancur and Palhinha every away game, and the home games, I’d be going with Palhinha with a Sarr or a Bergvall and then also Xavi Simons in the 10.”
Wenham’s assessment echoes what many fans have noticed — Frank’s tactical tweaks away from home have been spot-on, while the home form still needs refinement. If the Dane continues to rotate smartly between Bentancur, Sarr, and Bergvall depending on the venue, Spurs could soon find the perfect midfield balance.